When the remembering was done, the forgetting could begin.

My first job is to write the characters as full and authentic people as well as I can.

My first published book, Story of a Girl, was the fourth book I wrote.

I grew up in San Francisco in the 1970s. We were part of a church that belonged to the California Jesus movement.

I don't like to do too much psychological research because it might turn a character into a patchwork.

I get a message from my dad. In the mood I'm in, I tear up to see his name in my inbox, and imagine him down the hall in bed, propped on pillows, emailing me. "Hon,Enjoyed our gelato date the other night. I just want to say I'm proud of you for a lot of reasons. Also, I've attached a picture of my foot."He's such a weirdo goofball. I love him.

Sometimes you want to hear your own mother's voice.